News Story: Singapore Airshow - Airbus prioritises Aussie Tiger problems

by Gordon Arthur in Singapore

Philippe Monteux, senior vice president and head of region Southeast Asia Pacific for Airbus Helicopters, said the status of Australia’s 22 Tiger ARHs had seen some ‘very interesting improvement’ and that the army was currently ‘much more satisfied’.

Earlier during the air show, Bell Helicopter and BAE Systems Australia signed a teaming arrangement aimed at offering and sustaining the Bell AH-1Z Viper in Australia. 

If the Tiger does not perform as desired by the time of its Capability Assurance Programme (CAP) in 2019, Australia will decide whether to upgrade or replace the Tiger fleet.

With Australia’s Defence White Paper due out soon, more clarity could emerge on this Land 9000 Phase 3 project.

Read the full story at Shephard

Industry: The Royal Thai Navy and Air Force acquire five EC645 T2 and two EC725 rotorcraft from Airbus Helicopters

EC645 (Image: Flickr user gynti_46)

The airborne capabilities of Thailand’s navy and air force will be significantly enhanced with the acquisition of two mission-ready Airbus Helicopters rotorcraft types: the light-utility EC645 T2 and the 11-ton-class EC725.

The Royal Thai Navy signed for five EC645 T2s to be deployed on transport duties and other missions, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2016. Its purchase represents the first export order of this militarized version of the EC145 T2, which is the newest and most powerful model in Airbus Helicopters’ proven EC145 light twin-engine helicopter family.